DAY 1
The Giants opened up rookie minicamp on Friday with announcing that all seven of their draft selections were signed in addition to eight rookie free agents, four on offense and four on defense.
The eight free agents are:
DAVID DOUGLAS, WR, 6-0, 206, ARIZONA
JULIEN TALLEY, WR, 6-1, 199, MASSACHUSETTS
JOE MARTINEK, FB, 5-11, 224, RUTGERS
STEPHEN GOODIN, OL, 6-6, 308, NEBRASKA-KEARNEY
ADEWALE OJOMO, DE, 6-3, 255, MIAMI
MATTHEW BROHA, DE, 6-4, 255, LOUISIANA TECH
JOJO NICOLAS, S, 6-0, 196, MIAMI
JANZEN JACKSON, S, 5-10, 189, MCNEESE STATE
Meanwhile, nearly 60 players attended the camp – held at the Timex Performance Center – including 20 on rookie tryouts and 16 on veteran tryouts.
While coach Tom Coughlin reserved judgment after just one day of practice, he stressed the night before the players that "You never get a second chance to make a first impression." In that case, draft picks WR Rueben Randle and TE Adrien Robinson got off on the right foot.
"Yeah, big kids that are eager to learn," Coughlin said after Friday's first practice. "I was very impressed by Randle out on the field this morning. But they are all eager. And that is the good thing. And they are going to have to be NFL ready."
"Yeah, really his hands went up high fast and he made the really tough grab," Coughlin continued when asked about a noteworthy catch Robinson made in practice. "It was a short range throw but it was on him quickly and he was able to react to it. And that was a plus."
*Seventh-round draft choice DT Markus Kuhn Kuhn did not participate in the minicamp because of a non-football related leg laceration he suffered in the past week.
DAY 2Cornerback Brandon Bing wrapped up an impressive rookie minicamp after spending the final three months of last season on the practice squad.
Defensive coordinator Perry Fewell was asked about the former Rutgers player.
"I call him 'Bada,'" Fewell said on Saturday. "He is not a surprise because he worked and he is enthusiastic. He worked last year on the practice squad. And then coming into this camp he is showing what he can do. We are excited about him competing for one of those jobs this spring as well as this fall. He has picked up where he left off from practice from the playoffs, etc. So, yes, he has performed very well. Rutgers man, right, yes. There is a lot of "geeze oh peats" and "holy smokes" out there. So they don't have it all down yet, though, okay. I just want you all to know that."
Meanwhile, one of two defensive players drafted, cornerback Jayron Hosley "still has a lot to learn" as do the rest of the rookies, according to Fewell.
"We see some athletic ability and talent there," he said. "He has got to progress with the speed of the game in the NFL and the pace of practice. But I think there is a lot to work with there."
Fewell also addressed the linebacker situation and who might be starting in the middle to start the season.
"Chase Blackburn] goes back to that role,” [Fewell said. "[Mark] Herzlich will have an opportunity to compete for that role. Greg Jones will have an opportunity to compete for that role. And we are not opposed to putting Keith Rivers – giving him the opportunity to compete for that role, also. So there is going to be competition."
That wrapped up rookie minicamp and here are some dates to keep track of in the upcoming weeks:
OTA Dates: May 23-24; May 30-June 1; June 4-5; June 7-8.
Mandatory minicamp: June 12-14.
MINICAMP QUICK HITS
WATCH: Giants Rookie Minicamp Report with Giants.com's John Schmeelk and Michael Eisen.
VIEW: Rookie Minicamp Photo Galleries.
Check out press conferences from head coach Tom Coughlin, offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride, defensive coordinator Perry Fewell and your 2012 draft picks and more in the Giants.com media vault.
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